O ciclo de agitação social global de 1917-1920

Abstract

This article focuses on the cycle of social unrest of late First World War and its crucial role in widening and politicizing the workers’ movement. Based on empirical evidences on the Portuguese case and recent literature, it will be argued that new and broader bonds were forged between European working-class during this episode of contention.Although recognizing the structural social transformation processes, the following juncture factors and mechanisms shall be examined: the collective perception of opportunity in order to improve life and work conditions in the increasing state intervention on economic and social spheres; the social appropriation of organizational resources like associations ans informal networks to mobilize workers and populations ; and, finally the brokerage between different repertoires of collective action – namely struggles over production and consumption.This process allowed to articulate the worker’s organized movement with the people’s resistance to life’s expensive prices and hoarding, requiring the State’s regulation on labour relations and supplies. The election of state-centered strategies strengthened the collective action’s translocal articulation.

Keywords

• cost of living
• hunger riots
• war
• strikes